William Zepeda’s coach, Panda, release the cat from the bag, revealing that Shakur Stevenson rejected Fighting with Zapeda of May 4 (correction: May 3) for Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull Undercard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Zepeda’s fight denied
Panda’s coach says he was told that it was so “Too early” for Shakur (23-0, 11 KO) for the fight of Zepeda. Of course, it strengthens the view of fans about Newark, coming from Recent Jersey, Shakur, that he quit a real fight in favor of tomato cans to ensure that he will not be defeated.
I was afraid of that. Shakur avoids real threats to milk his delicate WBC title and Keep artificially his undefeated record. Zepeda (32-0, 27 KO) would be a nightmare for Shakur, who would run after all the creation to refrain from imprisoning and forcing to defend against avalanches.
“After Shakur won the last fight [Josh Padley]We were supposed to fight in Saudi Arabia on May 4, but someone said it was too early – said coach Panda Millcity boxing About Shakur Stevenson, who said it was “too early” to fight William Zepeda after winning Josh Padley on February 22. “Yes, Canelo [vs. William Scull] Undercard in Saudi Arabia. “
Stevenson’s strategy
Shakur will not be able to go back to the fight with Tank Davis tender opposition to infinity, Hoping that he would be able to convince him to fight him. Tank can see himself that Stevenson is not fighting the world -class opposition because his bad experience against Edwin de los Santos. These are real insidious things.
WBC must put Shakura’s feet to the fire to force him to fight Zepeda or No. 1 Andy Cruz. He can’t just sit on his WBC title like a mother of a hen, waiting for Tank Davis to give him a payout day, after which he led the campaign because he moved to delicate in 2023. Tank should insist that Shakur faces these three fighters before he gave him a fight for which he entertained him:
Andy Cruz
William Zepeds
Keyshawn Davis
To get the final pot of gold against the Lithe Division King, Shakur should be ready to make a final sacrifice. These three are sufficient tests for Shakur to show that he is worthy of meetings with his height, tank. I don’t ask much. Just fight these three, Shakur, and if you go through these three Apical predators You still get the day of payments against Gervont in one piece.
If Stevenson loses with one of the killers at 135, Goldmine Fight that he is feverishly lobbying for Gervont Davis permanently; Therefore, when Shakur needed to be replaced after his hand-collected opponent, a 22-year-old novice, Floyd Schofield withdrew from the fight on February 22 in Riyadh, Nokaut Jadier Herrera (17-0, 15 Kos) was passed on or delicate Hitter Josh Padley (15-1, 4, 4 Kos) with his frequency of 26.67% KO.
If anyone had doubts that Shakur protects his undefeated record, his choice of Padley over the Cuban talent of Herrera told everyone what you need to know.
The weigh-ins quickly turned tense when Albright apparently sent a message directly to Davis during their bout.
“Be a professional,” Albright said in a recording later released by DAZN Boxing.
The lack of weight immediately sparked a backlash online, as Davis has dealt with weight issues before. Last year, Davis lost his WBO lightweight title after losing more than four pounds ahead of his scheduled defense against Edwin De Los Santos.
Friday also marked the second time Davis has failed to make weight in his last three fights.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum admitted that Davis was having difficulty gaining 140 pounds and suggested that the problem may still exist.
“Well, obviously he has issues at 140,” Arum told Fighthype. “The problem is the next category is seven pounds. That’s a gigantic difference.”
Arum also compared Friday’s setback to the loss of Davis, who was previously more than four pounds compact before his canceled fight with De Los Santos last year.
“It was inexcusable because he was five pounds overweight,” Arum said.
“He is now 0.1 weight off which he will improve and get down to 140 or less.”
Keyshawn was later asked by DAZN what he told Albright during Friday’s matchup.
“I didn’t say anything,” Davis said. “That’s what I do. I knock people out.”
When asked what kind of performance he expected in the rematch, Keyshawn gave a compact answer.
“An unexpected spectacle.”
There was already bad blood in the rematch after their first fight in October 2023 was later changed to a no-contest after Keyshawn tested positive for marijuana. Their original meeting initially resulted in Keyshawn winning by a majority vote.
Although he still considers the main event at London’s O2 Arena against Lucas Browne to be the biggest achievement of his career, Allen will be fighting in front of 10,000 fans at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, and the importance of this event has not crossed his mind.
He clearly has a tough trainer, tipping the scales at 248.8 pounds. This is an impressive drop compared to the 271 he weighed in his last appearance – in February he defeated Karim Berredjem in the first round. In fact, this is the lowest weight Allen has registered since his 2019 loss to David Price.
Speaking about the transformation, “Dazzling” Dave said:
“I’ve just eaten less chocolate, less sweets… People talk about sacrifices but I’m actually very elated. I spend a lot of time with my family, my children and boxing for a living. Everyone here doing a 9-5, it’s a sacrifice. It wouldn’t be fair to talk about sacrifice, I live my dreams every day. Sometimes it’s difficult in the gym, sometimes I feel like eating something, but I’ll go out in front of 10,000 people in Doncaster against one of the best heavyweights in the world. world. It was my dream and I will make it come true soon.
Regardless of his shape, most consider Hrgović too gigantic a mountain for Allen to climb. He is aware of this but believes it could cause one of the worst disturbances ever seen on British shores.
“He’s a great fighter, but I’m not afraid of him. He’s been trying to tell me all week that I don’t want to look at him. I don’t care about Filip Hrgovic. It’s a boxing match.
“On paper I shouldn’t even be in the ring with him, but I feel tomorrow at Donny’s will be a special night where I’ll experience one of the biggest upsets in British boxing history.”
If Allen fails to disrupt the odds and Hrgovic emerges unscathed, he is widely expected to face Moses Itauma in August.
David Morrell says his career isn’t over after his knockout loss to Zak Chelli last Saturday in England, but questions are already being raised about whether Morrell should return to 168 pounds after another tough run at lithe heavyweight.
Morrell was stopped in the 10th and final round after a competitive bout on the Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois heavyweight undercard. The defeat was Morrell’s second defeat in his last three fights following a decision loss to David Benavidez in February 2025.
“This doesn’t mean David Morrell’s career is over,” Morrell said on the I shownstagram. We must take this as a lesson and move on with greater strength.
“We’ll be back soon and we’ll have more news for you.”
Morrell also assured fans that he was recovering quickly from the knockout.
“For those who are worried: thank God, I am well and robust.
“A person is not measured by the number of times he falls, but by the number of times he gets up.
“This is the beginning of a fresh stage, not the end of the race.”
The loss to Chelli increased criticism of Morrell’s move to 175 pounds. Since moving up from super middleweight in August 2024, Morrell entered 2025 undefeated, but has now lost two of his last three fights since moving up to lithe heavyweight.
Morrell dropped a split decision victory over previously undefeated Imam Khataev last July before losing to David Benavidez and being stopped by Zak Chelli.
Boxing analyst Chris Mannix was among those who suggested Morrell may need to rebuild at super middleweight after the defeat.
The 28-year-old Cuban currently has a record of 12-2 with nine knockouts, having entered 2025 undefeated and viewed as one of the most perilous newborn fighters in boxing.
Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fighting landscape. His reports focus on the most essential fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.
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